New ordered phases in a class of generalized XY models

It is well known that the 2D XY model exhibits an unusual infinite order phase transition belonging to the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) universality class. Introduction of a nematic coupling into the XY Hamiltonian leads to an additional phase transition in the Ising universality class [D. H. Lee and G. Grinstein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 55, 541 (1985)]. Using a combination of extensive Monte Carlo simulations and finite size scaling, we show that the higher order harmonics lead to a qualitatively different phase diagram, with additional ordered phases originating from the competition between the ferromagnetic and pseudonematic couplings. The new phase transitions belong to the 2D Potts, Ising, or KT universality classes.     

Directed percolation criticality in turbulent liquid crystals

We experimentally investigate the critical behavior of a phase transition between two topologically different turbulent states of electrohydrodynamic convection in nematic liquid crystals. The statistical properties of the observed spatiotemporal intermittency regimes are carefully determined, yielding a complete set of static critical exponents in full agreement with those defining the directed percolation class in 2+1 dimensions. This constitutes the first clear and comprehensive experimental evidence of an absorbing phase transition in this prominent nonequilibrium universality class.     

Geometric phases and quantum phase transitions in inhomogeneous XY spin-chains:Effect of the Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction

We study geometric phases of the ground states of inhomogeneous XY spin chains in transverse fields with Dzyaloshinski--Moriya (DM) interaction, and investigate the effect of the DM interaction on the quantum phase transition (QPT) of such spin chains. The results show that the DM interaction could influence the distribution of the regions of QPTs but could not produce new critical points for the spin-chain. This study extends the relation between geometric phases and QPTs.     

Quantum Correlations in Infinite XY Spin-1/2 Chains and Quantum Phase Transition

We examine the ability of quantum discord (QD) and entanglements (concurrence, EoF and negativity) to detect the critical points associated to quantum phase transitions (QPTs) for XY models, i.e., the isotropic XY model with three-spin interactions at zero temperature, and the anisotropic XY model in a transverse magnetic field h at finite temperatures. For the case of zero temperature, we found that both entanglements and QD can spotlight the critical points of QPTs for these two models. Moreover, QD versus distance M exhibits the long-range behavior of quantum correlation for the anisotropic XY model, while entanglement is short-ranged. For the case of finite temperatures, we found that negativity has the same behaviors with concurrence at or near transition points. Moreover, QD for the anisotropic XY model can increase with temperature even in the absence of a magnetic field.     

Continuous crystallization in hexagonally ordered materials

We demonstrate that the phase transition from columnar-hexagonal liquid crystal to hexagonal-crystalline solid falls into an unusual universality class, which in three dimensions allows for both discontinuous transitions as well as continuous transitions, characterized by a single set of exponents. We show by a renormalization group calculation (to first order in =4-d) that the critical exponents of the continuous transition are precisely those of the XY model, giving rise to a continuous evolution of elastic moduli. Although the fixed points of the present model are found to be identical to the XY model, the elastic compliance to deformations in the plane of hexagonal order, mu, is nonetheless shown to critically influence the crystallization transition, with the continuous transition being driven to first order by fluctuations as the in-plane response grows weaker, micro-->0.     

Phase transitions and critical properties in the antiferromagnetic Ising model on a layered triangular lattice with allowance for intralayer next-nearest-neighbor interactions

The phase transitions (PTs) and critical properties of the antiferromagnetic Ising model on a layered (stacked) triangular lattice have been studied by the Monte Carlo method using a replica algorithm with allowance for the next-nearest-neighbor interactions. The character of PTs is analyzed using the histogram technique and the method of Binder cumulants. It is established that the transition from the disordered to paramagnetic phase in the adopted model is a second-order PT. Static critical exponents of the heat capacity (α), susceptibility (γ), order parameter (β), and correlation radius (ν) and the Fischer exponent η are calculated using the finite-size scaling theory. It is shown that (i) the antiferromagnetic Ising model on a layered triangular lattice belongs to the XY universality class of critical behavior and (ii) allowance for the intralayer interactions of next-nearest neighbors in the adopted model leads to a change in the universality class of critical behavior.     

Multifractal analysis of electronic states on random Voronoi-Delaunay lattices

We consider the transport of non-interacting electrons on two- and three-dimensional random Voronoi-Delaunay lattices. It was recently shown that these topologically disordered lattices feature strong disorder anticorrelations between the coordination numbers that qualitatively change the properties of continuous and first-order phase transitions. To determine whether or not these unusual features also influence Anderson localization, we study the electronic wave functions by multifractal analysis and finite-size scaling. We observe only localized states for all energies in the two-dimensional system. In three dimensions, we find two Anderson transitions between localized and extended states very close to the band edges. The critical exponent of the localization length is about 1.6. All these results agree with the usual orthogonal universality class. Additional generic energetic randomness introduced via random potentials does not lead to qualitative changes but allows us to obtain a phase diagram by varying the strength of these potentials.     

Nonequilibrium phase transitions into absorbing states

Systems with absorbing (trapped) states may exhibit a nonequilibrium phase transition from a noise-free inactive phase into an ever-lasting active phase. We briefly review the absorbing critical phenomena and universality classes, and discuss over the controversial issues on the pair contact process with diffusion (PCPD). Two different approaches are proposed to clarify its universality issue, which unveil strong evidences that the PCPD belongs to a new universality class other than the directed percolation class.     

Direct measurement of the Bose-Einstein condensation universality class in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2 at ultralow temperatures

In this work, we demonstrate field-induced Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in the organic compound NiCl2-4SC(NH2)_{2} using ac susceptibility measurements down to 1 mK. The Ni S=1 spins exhibit 3D XY antiferromagnetism between a lower critical field H_{c1} approximately 2 T and a upper critical field H_{c2} approximately 12 T. The results show a power-law temperature dependence of the phase transition line H_{c1}(T)-H_{c1}(0)=aT;{alpha} with alpha=1.47+/-0.10 and H_{c1}(0)=2.053 T, consistent with the 3D BEC universality class. Near H_{c2}, a kink was found in the phase boundary at approximately 150 mK.     

Phase Structure of Systems with Infinite Numbers of Absorbing States

Critical properties of systems exhibiting phase transitions into phases with infinite numbers of absorbing states are studied. We analyze a non-Markovian Langevin equation recently proposed to describe the critical behavior of such systems, and also introduce and study a non-Markovian discrete model, which is argued to present the same critical features. On the basis of mean-field analysis, Monte Carlo simulations, and theoretical arguments, we conclude that the phenomenology of the non-Markovian models closely parallels that of systems with many absorbing states in one and two dimensions. The bulk or static critical properties of these systems fall in the directed percolation (DP) universality class. By contrast, the critical properties associated with the spread of an initially localized seed exhibit a more complex behavior: Depending on parameter values they can, both in one and two dimensions, fall either in the dynamical percolation or DP universality class, or else exhibit apparently nonuniversal exponents. In contrast to previous results, however, the nonuniversal exponents in 2D are found to satisfy a scaling law which implies that a particular linear combination of them is universal and assumes DP values. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the non-Markovian approach for understanding systems with many absorbing states, which are difficult to analyze in their original microscopic formulation.     

The Kosterlitz-Thouless universality class

We examine the Kosterlitz-Thouless universality class and show that essential scaling at this type of phase transition is not self-consistent unless multiplicative logarithmic corrections are included. In the case of specific heat these logarithmic corrections are identified analytically. To identify those corresponding to the susceptibility we set up a numerical method involving the finite-size scaling of Lee-Yang zeroes. We also study the density of zeroes and introduce a new concept called index scaling. We apply the method to the XY model and the c]osely related step model in two dimensions. The critical parameters (including logarithmic corrections) of the step model are compatible with those of the XY model indicating that both models belong to the same universality class. This result then raises questions over how a vortex binding scenario can be the driving mechanism for the phase transition. Furthermore, the logarithmic corrections identified numerically by our methods of fitting are not in agreement with the renormalization group predictions of Kosterlitz and Thouless.     

Phase diagram of the two-dimensional ferromagnetic three-color Ashkin-Teller model

In the present work we study the critical properties of the ferromagnetic three-color Ashkin-Teller model (3AT) by means of a Migdal-Kadanoff renormalization group approach on a diamond-like hierarchical lattice. The analysis of the fixed points and flux diagram of the recursion relations is used to determine the corresponding phase diagram (including its symmetry properties) and critical exponents. Our numerical results show the presence of four universality classes, three of them are associated to the Potts model with q=2, 4 and 6 states. Finally, a connection between our findings and some known results from the literature is presented.     

Scaling of geometric phases close to the quantum phase transition in the XY spin chain

We show that the geometric phase of the ground state in the XY model obeys scaling behavior in the vicinity of a quantum phase transition. In particular we find that the geometric phase is nonanalytical and its derivative with respect to the field strength diverges at the critical magnetic field. Furthermore, the universality in the critical properties of the geometric phase in a family of models is verified. In addition, since the quantum phase transition occurs at a level crossing or avoided level crossing and these level structures can be captured by the Berry curvature, the established relation between the geometric phase and quantum phase transitions is not a specific property of the XY model, but a very general result of many-body systems.     

Polydispersity stabilizes biaxial nematic liquid crystals

Inspired by the observations of a remarkably stable biaxial nematic phase [van?den?Pol et?al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 258301 (2009)], we investigate the effect of size polydispersity on the phase behavior of a suspension of boardlike particles. By means of Onsager theory within the restricted orientation (Zwanzig) model we show that polydispersity induces a novel topology in the phase diagram, with two Landau tetracritical points in between which oblate uniaxial nematic order is favored over the expected prolate order. Additionally, this phenomenon causes the opening of a huge stable biaxiality regime in between uniaxial nematic and smectic states.     

Microcanonical relation between continuous and discrete spin models

A relation between a class of stationary points of the energy landscape of continuous spin models on a lattice and the configurations of an Ising model defined on the same lattice suggests an approximate expression for the microcanonical density of states. Based on this approximation we conjecture that if a O(n) model with ferromagnetic interactions on a lattice has a phase transition, its critical energy density is equal to that of the n=1 case, i.e., an Ising system with the same interactions. The conjecture holds true in the case of long-range interactions. For nearest-neighbor interactions, numerical results are consistent with the conjecture for n=2 and n=3 in three dimensions. For n=2 in two dimensions (XY model) the conjecture yields a prediction for the critical energy of the Bere?inskij-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, which would be equal to that of the two-dimensional Ising model. We discuss available numerical data in this respect.     

伊辛模型的四分支临界面及其临界行为

本文通过等标度同普适类变换理论,使严格的重正化群递推方程得以直接应用。对伊辛模型的计算产生了四个不动点、四支临界面。对应于铁磁及反铁磁相变,其结果与已知的严格解及最好近似解一致。对于超反铁磁相变,本文提出临界曲面方程为—ch(h)=sh(2K_x)sh(2K_y)。 关键词：     

On the universality class of the 3d Ising model with long-range-correlated disorder

We analyze a controversial topic about the universality class of the three-dimensional Ising model with long-range-correlated disorder. Whereas both theoretical and numerical studies agree on the validity of the extended Harris criterion [A. Weinrib, B.I. Halperin, Phys. Rev. B 27 (1983) 413] and indicate the existence of a new universality class, numerical values of the critical exponents found so far differ considerably. To resolve this discrepancy we perform extensive Monte Carlo simulations of a 3d Ising model with non-magnetic impurities being arranged in a form of lines along randomly chosen axes of a lattice. The Swendsen-Wang algorithm is used alongside with a histogram reweighting technique and finite-size scaling analysis to evaluate the values of critical exponents governing magnetic phase transition. Our estimates for these exponents differ from both previous numerical simulations and are in favor of a non-trivial dependency of the critical exponents on the peculiarities of long-range correlation decay.     

Bond dilution in the 3D Ising model: a Monte Carlo study

We study by Monte Carlo simulations the influence of bond dilution on the three-dimensional Ising model. This paradigmatic model in its pure version displays a second-order phase transition with a positive specific heat critical exponent . According to the Harris criterion disorder should hence lead to a new fixed point characterized by new critical exponents. We have determined the phase diagram of the diluted model, starting from the pure model limit down to the neighbourhood of the percolation threshold. For the estimation of critical exponents, we have first performed a finite-size scaling study, where we concentrated on three different dilutions to check the stability of the disorder fixed point. We emphasize in this work the great influence of the cross-over phenomena between the pure, disorder and percolation fixed points which lead to effective critical exponents dependent on the concentration. In a second set of simulations, the temperature behaviour of physical quantities has been studied in order to characterize the disorder fixed point more accurately. In particular this allowed us to estimate ratios of some critical amplitudes. In accord with previous observations for other models this provides stronger evidence for the existence of the disorder fixed point since the amplitude ratios are more sensitive to the universality class than the critical exponents. Moreover, the question of non-self-averaging at the disorder fixed point is investigated and compared with recent results for the bond-diluted q = 4 Potts model. Overall our numerical results provide evidence that, as expected on theoretical grounds, the critical behaviour of the bond-diluted model is indeed governed by the same universality class as the site-diluted model.Received: 24 February 2004, Published online: 28 May 2004PACS: 05.40.-a Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, noise, and Brownian motion - 64.60.Fr Equilibrium properties near critical points, critical exponents - 75.10.Hk Classical spin models     

Hysteresis behavior and nonequilibrium phase transition in a one-dimensional evolutionary game model

We investigate a simple evolutionary game model in one dimension. It is found that the system exhibits a discontinuous phase transition from a defection state to a cooperation state when the b payoff of a defector exploiting a cooperator is small. Furthermore, if b is large enough, then the system exhibits two continuous phase transitions between two absorbing states and a coexistence state of cooperation and defection, respectively. The tri-critical point is roughly estimated. Moreover, it is found that the critical behavior of the continuous phase transition with an absorbing state is in the directed percolation universality class.     

磁阱中超冷玻色气体临界行为的观测

超冷玻色气体为研究量子临界现象提供了一个非常干净的实验系统. 弱相互作用下的三维玻色气体的临界行为与⁴He发生超流相变时的临界行为类似, 都属于三维XY型普适类. 从正常流体到超流的量子相变过程中, 系统会经历一个从无序相到长程有序相的转变; 而在相变点附近, 系统参量会表现出一些奇点的特征. 本文从实验上观测到了静磁阱中超冷⁸⁷Rb玻色气体在凝聚体相变温度T_c附近的临界行为. 原子气体从静磁阱中释放, 经过30 ms的自由飞行后, 通过吸收成像得到原子气体的动量分布; 然后从中扣除热原子气体的动量分布, 提取出空间上处于临界区域内的原子气体动量分布, 并对不同温度下的动量分布半高宽进行统计. 统计结果显示: 在非常接近相变温度T_c时, 动量分布的半高宽突然减小, 表现出十分明显的奇点行为.